Switzerland eliminated from basketball tournament

Switzerland's Patrick Koller (right) fights for the ball with Croatia's Vladimir Krstic Keystone

Switzerland's basketball squad have failed to progress to the next round of the European Championships, after losing to Group A leaders, Croatia, by a 74-83 score.

The defeat – the third in succession after losses in the past week to England and Latvia – means that Switzerland cannot qualify for the finals of the championships in Turkey next year..

Switzerland started off brightly against Croatia, holding their own for much of the match.

Five minutes into the encounter in Fribourg on Wednesday, the Swiss were leading the visitors 14-8. Ten minutes into the game the score stood at 30-25.

Switzerland dropped behind Croatia four minutes later, standing at 33-34, but then pulled back to go into the break leading 47-42.

The game remained finely balanced until near the end, with Switzerland still leading 71-70 with just under five minutes left. But Croatia’s quality came good, and they pulled ahead to take the game.

In the night’s other Group A games, Hungary beat Slovakia 81-61, while England lost 69-74 to Latvia.

Switzerland still have to play Hungary and Slovakia, although the outcome is now academic.

swissinfo with agencies